Listing a home for sale and getting
the transaction through to closing is an involved process with numerous steps.
Much of this work is performed behind the scenes and thus goes unnoticed by
home sellers. This sometimes leads to the myth that Realtors “just put a sign
in the yard.” But there really is so much more that we do. There is a reason
that real estate agents sell homes for more money than for sale by owner
listings. To better
explain all that we do for every real estate listing we’ve put together a list
of ways Realtors help home sellers.
80 Tasks Realtors Perform for Home Sellers
1. Research all comparable listings and recent home sales in the neighborhood2. Analyze the current market conditions and future projections
3. Explain past market performance
4. Assess your home’s marketing position by analyzing all homes for sale in the neighborhood
5. Provide a full Comparative Market Analysis regarding your property
6. Counsel home sellers on the process of listing a home for sale
7. Discuss timing of the sale and the pricing of the home in order to meet client expectations
8. Explain your legal obligations as a seller in the area of disclosure
9. Thoroughly review the entire listing contract and all accompanying documentation regarding the signing of the listing agreement
10. Help you review and fill out the mandatory Lead Based Paint 11. Disclosure required from all sellers
12. Provide the appropriate Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) form for the disclosure of all known conditions required of every seller
13. Review completed disclosure forms to insure compliance with required disclosure obligations of all sellers
14. Counsel on the necessity and advantages of a home warranty program
15. Counsel and assist home sellers to stage the interior and exterior of the home to look best for showings
16. Photograph the interior and exterior of the home
19. Create and print flyers to market the home on site
20. Create marketing materials to be distributed via email and social media
21. Point out areas that are likely to be targeted by buyers on any requests for repairs
22. Provide counseling and guidance in regard to showing so that the home gets its best appearance
23. Locate and provide area and street maps to potential buyers
24. Schedule open houses to attract buyers
25. Market open houses with announcements, postings and signage
26. Make certain that all advertising is in compliance with the Code of Ethics and Fair Housing requirements
27. Take safeguard precautions to minimize risk of any loss or vandalism that may occur during an open house
28. Create custom sign-in sheet for buyers who visit the open house
29. Follow up with all buyers that attend the open house
30. Answer phone calls and inquiries regarding your property
31. Arrange and schedule showings of your home at the request of buyers and/or their agents
32. Be available on evenings and weekends when buyers are most likely to want to see your home
33. Answer and address questions posed by buyers regarding the property and its condition
34. Counsel on periodic price changes that may be demanded due to changes in market conditions
35. Receive and review all offers and terms from potential buyers
36. Review the buyer’s LSR and analyze the provisions of their loan to assure that they can get financing
37. Present and discuss all offers that are received
38. Counsel and advise in multiple offer situations
39. Outline the pros and cons of offers received from potential buyers
40. Negotiate offers and counteroffers with the buyers and/or the buyers’ agent
41. Monitor and coordinate the escrow process
42. Properly handle the earnest money deposit
43. Counsel on the rules surrounding the handling of the earnest money deposit
44. Review title company charges and fees
45. Schedule and arrange any inspections requested by the buyer such as appraisal, termite, radon, etc.
46. Make certain that the buyer gets any necessary Home Owners 47. Association information
48. Review the Buyer Inspection Notice and Seller Response (BINSR) request from the buyer as well as any buyer’s requests for repairs
49. Counsel you on responses to the buyer’s requests for repairs
50. Provide professional references for any repairs needed in order to complete the sale
51. Review the preliminary title report for the status of liens, encumbrances and taxes
52. Ensure that all requirements on the preliminary title report received from the escrow company are being met and handled prior to closing
53. Monitor the deadlines and time frames that are contained in the purchase contract
54. Negotiate any necessary changes in the timelines on the purchase contract
55. Counsel on the pros and cons of addendums regarding changes in the timelines
56. Advise on the appraisal process and your role in the appraisal process as a seller
57. Provide regular updates and status reports regarding the progress of the transaction
Assist you in relocation or buying another property
58. Collect utility information and advise on the handling of utilities at the time of transfer
59. Discuss and advise on the exchange of occupancy
60. Update and monitor status of MLS listing to “Sale Pending”
Advise and monitor removal of loan contingency
61. Contact and discuss loan status with buyers loan representative and confirm the processing of the buyers loan
62. Check on the status of delivery of buyer’s loan documents to the title company
63. Confirm the completion of all repairs
64. Coordinate the collection of the repair invoices and receipts
65. Deliver all receipts and invoices to the title company as required
66. Review the HUD-1 Settlement statement and correct all inaccuracies
67. Coordinate and schedule the closing of the transaction
68. Negotiate and arrange any final extensions of the closing date that may be necessary
69. Counsel and advise you on the closing process
70. Schedule all final walk through inspections that are demanded by the buyer
71. Attend and address issues raised in the final walk through inspections
72. Final check with the escrow officer to make certain that all required documentation is in place
73. Review the closing documents
74. Attend and accompany you to the closing to address any issues that you might have
75. Advise and counsel you on the final transfer of funds
76. Assist in the providing of wiring instructions on the day of closing to the title company
77. Assist in the transmission and delivery of any final documentation that may be required by title
78. Review and explain the role of title insurance in your transaction
79. Assist in the correction of any errors or mistakes in the final closing documents
80. Arrange for the exchange of keys and possession
This list shows why full-time
Realtors like The Boehmer Team keep so busy. Realtors handle negotiations,
deadlines, paperwork, communications and marketing as well as managing a cast
of characters involved in every transaction. Our team structure enables us to
streamline and double check all parts in the process. We strive to provide client experiences so great that our clients will refer us to their friends and
family. Is moving on your mind? Contact The Boehmer Team for expert real estate
assistance.
